This story first appeared in The Daily Illini on April 10, 2026.
Their roots in family farming inspired University alumni and brothers Matt and Darin Riggs to start their own business in the Champaign-Urbana area, making waves in the regional craft beer scene.
Matt Riggs, who graduated from the University with a degree in agricultural and biological engineering and Darin Riggs, who holds a degree in computer science from the University, combined their skills and passion to launch Riggs Beer Company in 2016. Supported by the University and the unique spirit of C-U, their business has grown from a bold local startup into a beloved brand that celebrates both innovation and homegrown tradition.
The brothers grew up on a fifth-generation family farm about 13 miles southeast of the University — the farm has been in their family since 1874.
Young Riggs brothers, Matt and Darin, on their Champaign family farm. (Photo courtesy of Matt and Darin Riggs)
“This was always our town,” Matt Riggs said. “For me, when it came to college — I knew I wanted to stay here. The University of Illinois is an incredible institution, and with one of the top agricultural and biological engineering programs in the country right in our backyard, it just made sense.”
While in school, both brothers found scholarships through the Naval ROTC program. For Darin Riggs, the program was initially a practical solution to paying for college. For Matt Riggs, it became a natural next step, following in his older brother’s footsteps. Their experience in ROTC played a defining role in their college years, instilling leadership skills that carried into their future business.
“Following my brother into ROTC was one of the best decisions I made; it gave me structure when I needed it most,” Matt Riggs said. “Between early morning training and being held accountable for my grades, it taught me discipline in a way that’s stuck with me ever since.”
It was during their time at the University that the Riggs brothers first envisioned turning the grain from their family farm into craft beer.
“My brother and I had an epiphany in college where we thought it’d be super cool to take something our farm produces, grain, and add value all the way to the end consumer,” Matt Riggs said. “Back then, there wasn’t much regionally made beer around here, though it was starting to take off in other places around the country. It just felt like the right time to bring it home.”
After graduating, both brothers fulfilled their ROTC commitments through military service, which took them far beyond Illinois — including experiences in places like Guam and Southern California. These assignments exposed them to new environments and opportunities that would later introduce them to craft beer culture.
“Being stationed in Southern California, we were exposed to so many craft breweries,” Darin Riggs said. “Seeing that firsthand really sparked something for us. It made the idea of starting our own brewery feel real.”
For the brothers, the path back home wasn’t always straightforward. Before starting their own brewery, Darin Riggs worked in large-scale beer production, while Matt Riggs studied brewing practices in Germany.
Turning their vision into a functioning brewery was the realization of a years-long dream.
“Friends from college often remark, ‘You’re doing exactly what you said you wanted to do back then,” Darin Riggs said. “Most people don’t stick with their original story through all the changes life brings, but I’ve never had any doubt that this is what I wanted to do.”
After spending years gaining experience away from home, the brothers made the decision to return to Champaign and finally act on the idea they had carried since college. With a community they understood and a town that had shaped their youth, that familiarity gave them the confidence to take the leap and start their business.
“If we opened in a town that wasn’t Champaign-Urbana, we’d already be closed — this town gets what we’re trying to do,” Matt Riggs said. “It’s a perfect blend of interesting, cosmopolitan energy and affordability — there aren’t many places left where you can still build your own dream like this.”
Brothers Darin Riggs (left) and Matt Riggs (right) during the construction of Riggs Beer Company in 2015. (Photo courtesy of Matt and Darin Riggs)
The connection between the brewery and the community continues today. The company regularly collaborates with faculty and students from the University, and much of the wheat and corn used in Riggs beer is grown on the family farm and developed through research at the University.
“All of the wheat and all of the corn that’s in this beer was developed at the College of ACES at the University, and I know the breeders,” Matt Riggs said. “It’s incredible to be at a table with everyone involved: the breeder, the farmer, the brewer, and that’s all possible right here in Urbana, with the University just around the corner.”
According to Riggs Beer Company’s 2024 Sustainability Report, the brewery increased its use of Riggs-grown brewing grains by 40% and Illinois-grown hops by 82%. At the same time, water usage per barrel dropped by 4%, surpassing industry standards.
Today, the brewery serves as a cornerstone of the C-U community, blending traditional practices with sustainable approaches.
“I’m most proud of the sustainability aspect of the craft: offsetting our electricity with solar, minimizing water and ingredient waste and supporting the family farm,” Darin Riggs said.
The Riggs brothers have also expanded beyond beer into local foods. A prime example is Illini SuperPop popcorn, a hybrid popcorn variety developed in partnership with University researchers and grown locally.
“We just started bringing it into the stadium, State Farm Center, at the beginning of the year,” Darin Riggs said. “So if you have popcorn at the basketball games, you’re having Riggs family-grown popcorn.”
Community support between the University and local customers has been integral to the brewery’s growth, giving the Riggs brothers the foundation to grow their brewery right in the heart of their hometown.
“Everything we need is right here; people know us, we know the area,” Matt Riggs said. “That familiarity has made it possible for our family business to gain momentum and stay grounded because this is our home base.”
Both brothers agree the journey hasn’t been easy. Building a business from the ground up, staying true to their values and growing in their hometown has tested their skills and determination every step of the way.
Fermentation tanks line the production area at Riggs Beer Company on March 27. (Photo by Vy Chu/The Daily Illini)
“If it’s worth doing, it’s going to be tough,” Matt Riggs said. “There will be days full of doubt, but if you want to build your own business and take control of it, you have to keep pushing, plan carefully, save and take that first step. It’s challenging, but completely worth it.”
The journey wasn’t always straightforward, and the path often came with unexpected twists, yet the brothers’ commitment never faltered.
“It might not be only one step from point A to your dreams; you might have to take a winding path to get there,” Darin Riggs said. “If you keep your ship headed in the right direction and keep your eye on your goals, you can get there eventually.”
Riggs Beer Company has grown into more than a brewery — it’s a celebration of the C-U community. From the family farm to local taps, the Riggs brothers are proving that deep roots, clear vision and persistence can transform a family legacy into something the whole community can look up to.
Alyssa Thomas is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a staff writer for The Daily Illini.